Sen. Dinniman says he will amend existing law regarding dog shootings

WEST CHESTER — The owners of two dogs fatally shot by a neighbor earlier this month met Tuesday with state Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman, who announced his intention to amend the state’s existing dog laws to prevent similar killings in the future.

Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland, announced he would introduce two bills Friday to address and deter incidents like the one that occurred in the Chester Springs section of West Vincent on Feb. 12. Two Bernese Mountain dogs, owned by the Bock family of St. Anthony Lane, were shot and killed after they escaped their fenced-in yard and made their way to the nearby property of a neighbor who keeps several sheep.

That neighbor, 72-year-old Gabriel Pilotti of Pine Drive, is facing animal cruelty and recklessly endangering another person charges in connection with the shooting.

Pilotti originally told investigators that he shot the dogs as they were chasing his sheep, and the shooting was initially determined justified due to a state law that allows dogs to be killed if they are “pursuing” other pets or livestock.

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Dinniman’s planned bills would amend the Pennsylvania Dog Law to better clarify the section that explains when a person is permitted to shoot a dog on their property. Dinniman’s bill would prohibit a person from shooting a dog if they are simply “pursuing” another animal. Instead the killing of dogs would be permitted only if the animal is demonstrating an “apparent intent to harm.”

Dinniman said his staff began drafting the bills prior to the Feb. 12 incident and said it would have no effect on future legal proceedings connected to the death of the Bocks’ dogs.

The bill would allow pet owners to seek civil damages if the death of their pet was inflicted intentionally or through negligence. Under the bill, suits for damages would be heard at magisterial district courts and civil penalties would be capped at $12,000.

“My bill, even if passed, is not retroactive and will have no direct effect on the parties in West Vincent one way or the other. But this awful shooting illustrates what can happen and the need for our justice system to better recognize the unique role pets fill in our families,” Dinniman said. “In fact, I don’t consider the civil damage award to be my bill’s main message. The main message is for Pennsylvania’s courts to recognize the companionship and affection provided by pets and that both have value.”

William Bock, who owned the dogs with his wife and five young children, expressed hope that the bills would prevent similar incidents in the future.

“We don’t want this to happen to anyone else. We want something in the books to make someone think twice before they go out and do this,” said William Bock. “And these two bills would be a significant step in the right direction.”

Dinniman said his bills recognize existing law that requires pet owners to keep their pets on their property or under control and supervision at all times. He noted that negligent acts could only result in a civil award if the death in question occurred on the owner’s property or while they are under direct control and supervision.